Combined support and control device for electric irons



June 9, 1925.

J-. F. JOHNSON COMBINED SUPPORT AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC IRONS Filed July 7. 1924 FIG-3 F I VEN TOR.

Patented June 9, 1925.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN I. JOHNSON, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

COMBINED SUPPORT AND CONTROL DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC IRONS.

Application filed July 7,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. JoHNsoN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the county of Baltimore City 6 and State of Maryland, have invented certain newv and useful Improvements in :1 Combined Support and Control Device for Electric Irons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to combined supports and control devices for electric irons and has for its object the provision of a holder or stand in electrical connection with the iron and the current supply therefor and equipped with an automatic control switch acting to cut oil the supply of current to the iron when the iron is upon the stand, the stand being provided with means whereby the switch may be rendered inactive to permit a continued flow of current to the iron.

An important object is the provision of a device of this character having thermostatic means for ermitting release or opening of the circuit closer or switch in case the iron becomes overheated when left upon the stand with the control switch in circuit closing osition.

A further 0 ject is the provision of a device of this character which will be simple and inexpensive in manufacture, easy to use, efficient in operation, durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects and advantages, the invention consists in the details of construction and the arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, it being, however, understood that the disclosure is merely illustrative of a preferred embodiment inasmuch as various changes and mod ifications maybe made so as to widen the field of utility and increase the effectiveness, provided such changes. constltute no departure from the salient features of the invention or the scope of the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device.

Figure 2 is a side elevation, the normal osit-ion of the control handle being shown 1n full lines and its switch holding position being shown in dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a cross section on the line AB of Figure 2.

1924. Serial No: 724,629.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating the movement of the switch or circuit closer.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view indicating the electric circuit of the device. Referring more particularly to the draw lngs in whlch like reference characters deslgnate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 10 indicates a base which is here shown as having a contour substantially that of a conventional electric iron though it is obvious that any other shape referred might be resorted to. This base s ould be constructed of some material easily capable of withstanding c0nsiderable heat and in actual practice it may conveniently be of cast iron and must necessarilly be at least partially hollow. If deslre supporting feet 11 may be formed or otherwise provided on the undeiside of this base to limit the area coming in contact 'with the support upon which the device is placed. The top surface of the base has its central portion 12 sunk or depressed to define an upstanding peripheral flange 13 which will prevent. sliding movement or displacement of an iron placed on the base. At one end of the base is mounted a casing 14 of insulating material which forms a housing for the switch or circuit closer mechanism to be described. Obviously, the above described parts need not all be integral inasmuch as it is well within the spirit of the invention to have them formed of separate parts secured together in any desircd manner.

Mounted within the casing 14 is a socket including a threaded metallic shell 15 at the inner end of which is a contact 16, the structure being equivalent to that provided in electric light sockets and this socket is adapted to have screwed thereinto the usual plug carried by the end of the so-called cord or wires which feed current to the electric iron. The iron itself, its cord or wires, and

the plug are not shown as they form no part of the present invention. Vithin the casing 14- 1s a switch device or circuit closer including a stationary contact 17 which is connected, by a conductor, 18, with the metallic shell 15. The switch further in cludes a lever 19, having interposed therein an insulating block 34, pivoted at 20 and carrying acontact 21 co-acting with the stationary contact 17. Connected with the lever 19 and the contact 16 are conductors 22 and 23, respectively, which may be con tinuations of or which may be connected with wires 24 and 25 which are in turn connected with a source of current, not shown. In actual practice the wires 2; and 25 are connected with a conventional plug to be screwed into an electric light socket.

Hinged or pivoted at 26 upon the top of the base, is a plate 27 upon which the iron rests when supported by the stand, and carried by the rear portion of this plate is a depending arm 28 pivotally connected at 35 with the lever 19. A spring 29 is provided for holding the lever 19 normally in such position that the contacts 21 and 17 are in engagement permitting current to flow through the wires 24 and 25, conductors 22 and 23, switch and socket device through the coils of the electric iron in the ordinary manner. Obviously, when an iron is placed upon the plate 27 the downward swinging movement thereof will swing the lever 19 and lift the contact 21 out of engagement with the contact 17 so that the flow of current to the iron will be out off.

In some instances it is desirable that current be permitted to flow to the iron even when resting upon the support, and for this reason I make use of a rock shaft 30 journaled through one side of the base 10 and formed at one end with a crank arm 31 and at its other end, exteriorly of the base,

with a handle 32. On the extremity of the crank arm 31 is a button 33, of some readily fusible material, which is adapted to be engaged beneath the plate 27 for holding the same against downward movement and thereby preventing opening of the switch when an iron is placed on the stand.

The purpose of providing the fusible button is to prevent overheating of the iron, the button melting when the temperature reaches a dangerous point and permitting the plate 27 to move downwardly and open the switch.

An ironsupport or stand constructed in accordance with my invention will be highly efficient and convenient inasmuch as it embodies the manual, automatic and thermostatic control features.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character described, a base, an iron supporting member pivoted thereon, a switch operatively connected with the member whereby to be opened upon downward movement thereof, and manually movable means for holding said member against downward movement.

2. In a device of the character described, a base, an iron supporting member pivoted thereon, a switch operatively connected with the member whereby to be opened upon downward movement thereof, and manually movable means for holding said member against downward movement including a rock shaft journaled through the base and carrying a handle, and a crank arm on the rock shaft.

3. In a device of the character described, a base, a switch carried by the base, a plate hinged on the base and operatively connected with the switch for opening the latter when an iron is placed upon the plate,

a manually movable rock shaft journaled through the base and carrying a crank arm disposable to hold the plate against downward movement.

4. In a device of the character described, a base, a switch carried by the base, a plate hinged on the base and operatively connected with the switch for opening the latter when an iron is placed upon the plate, a manually movable rock shaft journaled through the base and carrying a crank arm disposable to hold the plate against downward movement, and a fusible button on the arm adapted to melt when the heat of the iron becomes excessive whereby to permit downward movement of the plate.

5. A device of the character described comprising a base having a top surface centrally depressed to define a retaining flange, a plate located within the confines of the flange and pivoted upon the base, a control switch carried by the base, and an operative connection between the plate and the switch for opening the latter upon downward movement of the former.

6. A device of the character described comprising a base having a top surface centrally depressed to define a retaining flange, a plate located within the confines of the flange and pivoted upon the base, a control switch carried by the base, an operative connection between the plate and the switch for opening the latter upon downward movement of the former, and manually movable fusible means for holding the plate against movement.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

JOHN F. JOHNSON.

IVitnesses:

J. H. MCCLELLAN, JNo. PRELL. 

